Combination speed reduction and escapement means

ABSTRACT

A gear reduction means and an escapement means are both disposed within a housing which carries a drive motor coupled to the reduction means. The escapement means includes a rotating positioning means coupled to the gear reduction means, a reciprocating regulating means responsive to movement of the rotating positioning means and an intermittent spring-biased rotating output means responsive to movement of the reciprocating regulating means.

llited States Patent Staifiord et all.

[54] COMBINATIGN SPEED REDUCTION AND ESCAPEMENT MEANS [72] Inventors: Richard W. Stafford, Clayton, lnd.; Milenko Cuckovic, Lund, Sweden [73] Assignee: P. R. Mallory 8: Co. Inc, Indianapolis,

Ind.

[22] Filed: June 17, 1970 [2!] Appl. No.: 46,925

[52] US. Cl ..74/1 12, 74/15, 74/352 [51] Int. (ll ..Fl6h 27/04 [58] Field of Search ..74/l.5, 112, 3.54, 3.52, 3.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,227,133 12/1940 Hall ..74/112 Feb. 8, 1972 3,326,052 6/1967 Holzer ..74/ 1.5

Primary Examiner-Milton Kaufman Attorney-Richard H. Childress, Robert F. Meyer and Henry W. Cummings [57] ABSTRACT A gear reduction means and an escapement means are both disposed within a housing which carries a drive motor coupled to the reduction means. The escapement means includes a rotating positioning means coupled, to the gear reduction means, a reciprocating regulating means responsive to movement of the rotating positioning means and an intermittent spring-biased rotating output means responsive to movement of the reciprocating regulating means.

17 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures mama FEB 8:972

INVENTORS 66 RICHARD STAFFORD MIL NK CUCKOVIC BY? ATTORNEY COMBINATION SPEED REDUCTION AND ESCAPEMENT MEANS The present invention relates to an intermittent drive means; and more particularly, to an escapement means-speed reduction means combination both of which are disposed within a single housing.

Timing mechanisms of the type having a plurality of control cams and a plurality of control switches responsive to the cams are widely used in appliance control applications. Generally, such timing mechanisms have an established program to which they are driven by an intermittent drive mechanism. An intermittent drive mechanism, sometimes referred to as an escapement, is a means for coupling the output shaft of a constant speed motor to the control cams of the timer. The purpose of the intermittent drive mechanism is to provide a periodic, snap-action rotational motion to the control cams. The snap-action rotational motion is required for fast operation of the control switches.

As appliances become more complicated, the timing mechanisms required to control the appliances become larger and larger. However, the space being allowed for the timing mechanisms by the appliance manufacturers is not increasing and, in some cases it decreases. Naturally, as the appliances become more complicated, the escapement mechanisms used to actuate the control cams become more complicated. This again adds to the problem of keeping the timing mechanism neat, compact and simple, so as to occupy a minimum amount of space.

The present invention is concerned with an intermittent drive mechanism and has as one of its objects the provision of such a drive mechanism ,which is neat, compact and occupies a minimum of space.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an intermittent drive mechanism which includes a speed reduction means and an escapement means.

Another object of the invention is to provide an intermittent drive mechanism having a speed reduction means and an escapement means constructed as a modular unit enclosed in a single housing.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an intermittent drive mechanism wherein the escapement means includes rotating positioning means and reciprocating regulating means responsive to movement of the rotating positioning means.

A further object of the invention is to provide an escapement means which includes rotating positioning means, reciprocating regulating means responsive to movement of the rotating positioning means, and spring-biased intermittent rotating output means responsive to movement of the reciprocating regulating means.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an intermittent drive mechanism having an escapement means and damping means coacting with the escapement means to retard the intermittent motion initiated by the escapement means.

Yet still another object of the invention is to provide an intermittent drive means wherein there is constructed as a single modular unit a speed reduction means, an escapement means, and a subinterval means. The subinterval means provides a switching duration shorter than that of the escapement means.

These and other objects will become readily apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the intermittent control means with portions thereof being removed for clarity;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along line 22 of FIG. I; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the escapementmeans of the present invention.

Generally speaking, the objects of the invention are accomplished by providing an intermittent drive means which in general comprises in combination a motor carried by a housing, gear reduction means disposed within the housing and coupled to the motor, and an escapement means disposed within the housing and coupled to the gear reduction means,

the escapement including an output extending outside of the housing. More specifically, the escapement means of the present invention includes rotating positioning means responsive to movement of the gear reduction means; reciprocating regulating means responsive to movement of the, rotating positioning means, and spring-biased rotating intermittent output means responsive to movement of the reciprocating regulating means. There is a damping means which coacts with the escapement means to retard or slow down the snap-acting motion of the escapement means. Also included as a partof the invention is a subintervalmeans,responsive to movement of the gear reduction means to give programmed sequences shorter than that of the escapement means.

Referring now to the drawings there is shown an intermittent drive means 10 which generally includes a eonstant'speed drive means 12, speed reduction means 14 and escapement means 16. Constant speed drive means 12 includes a suitable motor such as a motor 18 which could be of the synchronous type, for example. Motor 18 is attached or otherwise carried by housing 20 which includes a cup-shaped member 22 and a cover plate 24 adapted to close the same. As will become apparent, both the speed reduction means 14 and the escapement means 16 are enclosed within the housing 20 thus presenting a neat, compact modular unit. In addition, to being neat and compact, the modular unit can be constructed so as to be readily adapted to be fitted to existing timers.

Speed reduction means 14 includes a gear reduction means 26 which includes a plurality of gears 26', the size and number of which will depend upon the amount of speed reduction desired. Gear reduction means 26 is driven by the motor 18 through motor output pinion 28.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1 and 3, escapement means 16 includes rotary positioning means 30, reciprocating regulating means 32 and intermittent rotary output means 34. Rotating positioning means 30 includes a cam 36 having coded indicia thereon adapted to bias reciprocating means 32 in a manner hereinafter to be described. Cam 36 is carried or otherwise coupled to gear 38 of gear train 26, the gear being carried by and independently rotatable from post 40 through support bearing 42.

Reciprocating regulating means 32 includes a slider 44. Slider 44 includes a rim 46 having a centrally disposed aperture 48 disposed therein, a pair of elongated apertures 50 and 50' and stop means 52. Stop means 52 includes-steps 53 and 53'. Apertures 50 and 50' receive post 54 and 54' such that the yoke 44 can be guided o r piloted as it slides or reciprocates. Slider 44 slides or reciprocates on housing 20 on surfaces 58 and 58.

Intermittent rotating output means '34 includes a stop means 56 and pinion 60. Stop means 56 includes an arcuate step 56' adapted to engage stop means 52 of slider 44. As more clearly shown in FIG. 2, when the escapement means 16 is assembled cam 36 and stop, means 56 will mate within aperture 48. Intermittent rotating output means 34 is spring-biased through spring means 62. Spring means 62 includes a coil spring 64 sandwiched between. cam 36 and stop means 56. One end of the coil spring is coupled to spring post 66 while the other end is coupled to spring post- 68. Stop means 56 is coupled to or otherwise carried by ratchet means 70. Although it is not necessary in the practice of the invention, pinion 60, ratchet means 70 and stop means 56 are formed as a single integral piece with bearing 72, hearing 72 being fitted over post 40.

The operation of the intermittent drive means can now be described with reference to the parts so far described. When the escapement means 16 is first assembled, coil spring 64 is twisted such that one end of the coil spring is about from the position shown in FIG. 3. That is, the two ends of the coil will be approximately adjacent each other. Motor 18 drives gear reduction means 26 at a constant rate of speed in a predetermined direction. Rotation of gear 38 will cause rotation of rotating positioning means 30. The coded indicia of cam 36 biasing against the slope 55 of the stop means 52 will cause reciprocating regulating m ans 32 to slide back and forth on surfaces 58 and 58' against the housing. Assuming the arcuate step 56 of stop means 56 being in engagement with step 53, as reciprocating regulating means 32 slides to the left, the step 56' will become disengaged from the step 53 thus allowing the energy in coil spring 64 to be released to rotate stop means 56 counterclockwise for approximately 180 until the arcuate step 56' engages step 53. Rotation of stop means 56 causes rotation of pinion 60. Then as the reciprocating regulating means 32 slides to the right the process will be repeated with the arcuate step 56 leaving step 53', and rotating approximately l80 until it becomes engaged again with step 53. Thus, it is seen that an intermittent motion is imparted to the output pinion 60. Although not shown, output pinion 60 would be coupled to the cam means of the timing mechanism.

It has been found in the present apparatus that there is a tendency for the rotating output means 34 to snap" from one step to the other at a very fast rate of speed and with a considerable force. Such action could cause damage to the apparatus. Therefore, the present apparatus provides a dampening means 74 which tends to retard the quick, snap-action of the intermittent rotating output means 34, without any substantial loss of energy built up in the spring. Dampening means 74 includes ratchet means 70 and pivotally mounted pawl means 76 adapted to engage the ratchet means. Engagement of the ratchet means 76, while not completely stopping the rotational movement of intermittent rotating output means 34, will retard its motion. The dampening means 74 also, because of the shape of the ratchet teeth and the pawls, serves as a no-back means for the escapement.

Also included as part of the escapement means 16 is a drive through means 78. Drive through means 78 includes cooperating arcuate steps 80 and 82 carried by stop means 56 and cam 36 respectively. Should there be some sort ofhang-up" of the intermittent rotating means 34, engagement of steps 82 with step 80 causes a positive drive of the intermittent rotating means 34. This substantially eliminates any hang-up of the escapement.

There is also provided in the present intermittent drive means a subinterval means 84. Subinterval means 84 includes a cam 86 having coded indicia 88 thereon. Cam 86 is coupled to gear reduction means 26 through one of its gears 26. Subinterval means 84 provides a step of shorter duration than that of escapement means 16.

Thus there is described an intermittent drive means which because of its modular construction, provides a neat, and compact unit.

What is claimed is:

1. An escapement means comprising a. a reciprocating slider, said slider including an outer rim, a

centrally disposed aperture in said rim, a pair of elongated apertures in said rim, and stop means disposed in said centrally disposed aperture,

b. pilot posts extending through said elongated apertures to guide the reciprocating movement of said slider,

. a rotatable cam means coupled to constant speed drive means, disposed within said centrally disposed aperture, rotation of said cam means causing said slider to reciprocate,

d. spring-biased rotatable stop means disposed within said centrally disposed aperture, said stop means including an arcuate step, engagement and disengagement of said step with said stop means of said reciprocating slider as said slider reciprocates causing said stop means to intermittently rotate, and

e. output means coupled to said spring-biased rotatable stop means.

2. An escapement means according to claim 1 wherein stop means is spring biased by a coil spring is sandwiched between and coupled to said rotatable stop means and said cam means.

3. An escapement means according to claim 2 wherein said coil spring is coupled to said rotatable stop means and said cam means through posts extending from said cam means and stop means.

4. An escapement means according to claim 1 further including drive through means insuring intermittent rotating upon disengagement of said rotatable stop means from said stop means of said reciprocating slider.

5. An escapement according to claim 4 wherein said drive through means includes a step on each of said rotatable stop means and said cam means and adapted to engage each other.

6. An intermittent drive means comprising in combination:

a. a motor carried by a housing,

b. gear reduction means disposed within said housing and coupled to said motor,

c. an escapement means disposed within said housing coupled to said gear reduction means and including an output extending outside of said housing, and

d. dampening means disposed within said housing coacting with said escapement means so as to retard the speed of the intermittent motion initiated by said escapement means.

7. An intermittent drive means according to claim 6 wherein said escapement means comprises:

a. a rotating positioning means coupled to said gear reduction means,

b. reciprocating regulating means responsive to movement of said rotating positioning means, and

c. intermittent spring-biased rotating output means responsive to movement of said reciprocating regulating means.

8. An intermittent drive means according to claim 7 wherein said damping means includes a ratchet means coupled to said intermittent spring-biased rotating output means, and pivotally mounted pawl means alternately engaging and disengaging said ratchet means.

9. An intermittent drive means according to claim 6, the combination further including subinterval cam means coupled to said gear reduction means.

10. An escapement means comprising:

a. rotating positioning means responsive to movement of constant speed drive means,

b. reciprocating regulating means including a reciprocating slider having an outer rim, a pair of elongated apertures in said rim, a centrally disposed aperture in said rim, stop means carried by said slider and disposed within said centraily disposed aperture, said slider piloted through posts extending into said pair of elongated apertures, and

c. intermittent spring-biased, rotating output means responsive to movement of said reciprocating regulating means.

11. An escapement means according to claim 10 wherein said rotating positioning means includes a cam responsive to said drive means.

12. An escapement means according to claim 11 wherein said drive means includes a gear reduction means and said cam is coupled to one of the gears of said gear reduction means.

13. An escapement according to claim 10 wherein said spring-biased rotating output means includes a rotatable stop means responsive to movement of said reciprocating regulating means, said rotatable stop means alternately engaging and disengaging stop means of said reciprocating means.

14. An intermittent drive means comprising in combination:

a. a motor,

b. gear reduction means coupled to said motor,

c. an escapement means coupled to said gear reduction means and including an output means, and

d. dampening means coacting with said escapement means so as to retard the intermittent motion initiated by said escapement means.

15. An intermittent drive means according to claim 14 wherein said escapement means comprises:

a. a rotating positioning means coupled to said gear reduction means,

b. reciprocating regulating means responsive to said rotating positioning means, and

c. intermittent spring-biased rotating output means responsive to said reciprocating regulating means.

16. An intermittent drive means according to claim 15 wherein said dampening means includes a ratchet means coupled to said intermittent spring biased rotating output means, and pivotally mounted pawl means alternately engaging and disengaging said ratchet means. 5

17. An intermittent drive means according to claim 14, the combination further including subinterval cam means coupled to said gear reduction means. 

1. An escapement means comprising a. a reciprocating slider, said slider including an outer rim, a centrally disposed aperture in said rim, a pAir of elongated apertures in said rim, and stop means disposed in said centrally disposed aperture, b. pilot posts extending through said elongated apertures to guide the reciprocating movement of said slider, c. a rotatable cam means coupled to constant speed drive means, disposed within said centrally disposed aperture, rotation of said cam means causing said slider to reciprocate, d. spring-biased rotatable stop means disposed within said centrally disposed aperture, said stop means including an arcuate step, engagement and disengagement of said step with said stop means of said reciprocating slider as said slider reciprocates causing said stop means to intermittently rotate, and e. output means coupled to said spring-biased rotatable stop means.
 2. An escapement means according to claim 1 wherein stop means is spring biased by a coil spring is sandwiched between and coupled to said rotatable stop means and said cam means.
 3. An escapement means according to claim 2 wherein said coil spring is coupled to said rotatable stop means and said cam means through posts extending from said cam means and stop means.
 4. An escapement means according to claim 1 further including drive through means insuring intermittent rotating upon disengagement of said rotatable stop means from said stop means of said reciprocating slider.
 5. An escapement according to claim 4 wherein said drive through means includes a step on each of said rotatable stop means and said cam means and adapted to engage each other.
 6. An intermittent drive means comprising in combination: a. a motor carried by a housing, b. gear reduction means disposed within said housing and coupled to said motor, c. an escapement means disposed within said housing coupled to said gear reduction means and including an output extending outside of said housing, and d. dampening means disposed within said housing coacting with said escapement means so as to retard the speed of the intermittent motion initiated by said escapement means.
 7. An intermittent drive means according to claim 6 wherein said escapement means comprises: a. a rotating positioning means coupled to said gear reduction means, b. reciprocating regulating means responsive to movement of said rotating positioning means, and c. intermittent spring-biased rotating output means responsive to movement of said reciprocating regulating means.
 8. An intermittent drive means according to claim 7 wherein said damping means includes a ratchet means coupled to said intermittent spring-biased rotating output means, and pivotally mounted pawl means alternately engaging and disengaging said ratchet means.
 9. An intermittent drive means according to claim 6, the combination further including subinterval cam means coupled to said gear reduction means.
 10. An escapement means comprising: a. rotating positioning means responsive to movement of constant speed drive means, b. reciprocating regulating means including a reciprocating slider having an outer rim, a pair of elongated apertures in said rim, a centrally disposed aperture in said rim, stop means carried by said slider and disposed within said centrally disposed aperture, said slider piloted through posts extending into said pair of elongated apertures, and c. intermittent spring-biased, rotating output means responsive to movement of said reciprocating regulating means.
 11. An escapement means according to claim 10 wherein said rotating positioning means includes a cam responsive to said drive means.
 12. An escapement means according to claim 11 wherein said drive means includes a gear reduction means and said cam is coupled to one of the gears of said gear reduction means.
 13. An escapement according to claim 10 wherein said spring-biased rotating output means includes a rotatable stop means responsive to movement of said reciprocating regulating means, said rotatable stop means alternately engaging and disengaging stop means of said reciprocating means.
 14. An intermittent drive means comprising in combination: a. a motor, b. gear reduction means coupled to said motor, c. an escapement means coupled to said gear reduction means and including an output means, and d. dampening means coacting with said escapement means so as to retard the intermittent motion initiated by said escapement means.
 15. An intermittent drive means according to claim 14 wherein said escapement means comprises: a. a rotating positioning means coupled to said gear reduction means, b. reciprocating regulating means responsive to said rotating positioning means, and c. intermittent spring-biased rotating output means responsive to said reciprocating regulating means.
 16. An intermittent drive means according to claim 15 wherein said dampening means includes a ratchet means coupled to said intermittent spring biased rotating output means, and pivotally mounted pawl means alternately engaging and disengaging said ratchet means.
 17. An intermittent drive means according to claim 14, the combination further including subinterval cam means coupled to said gear reduction means. 